Overview

The next best thing to having a drill press in your pocket, the Big Gator V-Drill Guide ensures perfectly straight, perpendicular drill holes in round stock, flat stock, and even directly into corners-all with just a hand drill. The precisely milled V-groove in the bottom of the drill guide centers the holes on pipes, dowels, and outside corners, while the flats allow 90° drilling into flat surfaces-just clamp and drill. 17 standard imperial drill sizes match those in a standard 3/8" drill index-everything from 1/8" to 3/8" in 1/64" increments. Also available for metric sizes (#45597, sold separately).

Features:

The Big Gator V-Drill Guide is made from special nickel-alloyed steel that is heat treated for durability like drill bushings

V-groove along the bottom of the guide allows for perpendicular alignment with all drill sizes on round parts or corners

BEST ANSWER:Not sure I understand your question. But here goes. If you want to line up the hole on the guide with the desired hole you want to make, you could draw a line perpendicular to the position of the guide across your work piece hole long enough to extend past the side of the guide . Then align the marks on the side of the guide with the line that you drew.

BEST ANSWER:Not sure I understand your question. But here goes. If you want to line up the hole on the guide with the desired hole you want to make, you could draw a line perpendicular to the position of the guide across your work piece hole long enough to extend past the side of the guide . Then align the marks on the side of the guide with the line that you drew.

I marked the spot first and used an awl and put a small pilot hole. I inserted the drill through V-Drill guide held it up until I had the drill bit in the marked hole. Then I lowered the V-Drill Guide and drilled the hole.

BEST ANSWER:If you're using this guide in attempt to drill a 45 degree angled hole then you may want to consider a different product. This guide in particular is useful for round stock or pipes by utilizing the v-groove on the bottom. One possible option for in a pitch would be to cut a piece of scrap into a 45 degree wedge and then place this guide on top of the wedge with your work piece clamped underneath. Be mindful that you'd need a pretty long drill bit however.

BEST ANSWER:If you're using this guide in attempt to drill a 45 degree angled hole then you may want to consider a different product. This guide in particular is useful for round stock or pipes by utilizing the v-groove on the bottom. One possible option for in a pitch would be to cut a piece of scrap into a 45 degree wedge and then place this guide on top of the wedge with your work piece clamped underneath. Be mindful that you'd need a pretty long drill bit however.

I don't completely understand the question, but the Big Gator V-Drill Guide has a length-wise "V" groove on the bottom. This allows it to be centered on round stock like dowels and on corners of square stock. When used on a corner it does result in a 45º angle drilled into the corner. It is otherwise designed to drill only perpendicular (90º) holes.

Reviews

The quality of this tool is refreshing, compared to most available today. I have already used mine numerous times and it appears impervious to the cutting edges of cheap, imported drill bits. My only suggestion for improvement would be to eliminate the taper in its exterior shape - it would be less elegant, but easier to secure in shop-made drilling jigs.

Like having a drill press in your pocket, I think that is what the ad said. So, I bought it and it works better than advertised. I used it to drill into a narrow, very un-even profile on thin stock yesterday and the hole was true, perfectly centered through the stock and no play entering the un-even profile straight-in. I have a few dozen stories like that about this tool. I seldom drill freehand when I can use it (for furniture builds.)

It works ok except you have to clamp it down to keep it from moving. I also would like to see a mark at the center of both ends to make it easier to line up on your center line. The side marks are a great help.

Wonderful tool! A must have in any shop. The simplicity in it's design makes it easy and comfortable to use at any ability level. I bought this because my hands were getting less steady with age. After using it once (drilling into an aluminum base plate), I wondered how I went so long without. It's a tool you would never think of until you need a straight drill hole in an otherwise awkward small space.

This is an excellent tool I did not know existed. Their is the obvious use for drilling a variety of hole sizes perpendicular to the pipe, tube, or dowel through the absolute center, without wandering or having to file a flat spot first. It came in handy when I attached it with pan head screws to the ceiling of a clients sales trailer and used a 5 inch drill bit to punch a hole into the aluminum roof 3-1/2" above. The only thing I would add is machined marking lines on opposite ends of tool.

Have only used it once and the fact that you can clamp it to the work piece is great. Others you had to hold them with your hand, which allowed the device to walk a little. If you drill into round stock, this is what you need,

This works great clamps easily to a surface, and holds the drill bit securely making an even hole. When drilling several holes at one time, the friction of the bit in the hole can cause the guide to heat up quite a bit, but his is not surprising and it cools down fast enough that it does not pose a problem.

I love it. This is exactly what I have been looking for. Don't mistake it for a drill press, but it is nearly as good for many functions. I was worried about grinding the sides of drill bits against the walls of the tool, but as long as you take care there is just enough play, and a slick, hard surface. Keep in mind that certain holes on the tool cannot be placed in tight places, inner corners, etc. I achieved perfect doweling on this guy.

i have been trying to drill matching holes through two pieces of square tubing (one inside the other) with no success. So I googled "drill straight holes", and found this cool device. I believe it will solve the problem.

My V-Drill Guide has proved to be one of the most useful tools in my toolbox. It has provided me accuracy and precision with some of the most difficult angles to drill. The quality of the product is incomparable.

The guide is a very handy tool for drilling perpendicular holes in flat surfaces as well as round dowels. I would recommend this tool to any woodworker for his shop. I wish i had purchased one many years ago. BKJ

While I realize the reasoning for the v-drill guide being so narrow, it did make it difficult to stabilize while drilling. I have used it a lot since I bought it and I'm very pleased to have found it. I've always had a hard time trying to keep the drill bit at a 90° angle on both planes.

I have used my guide several times and it has worked pretty well. My only suggestion would be if the bottom was flared out a little bit that might help make it a little more stable. Even when clamped down it can be tippy.

Perfect for drilling straight when drilling face frame. Also dead nuts on for drilling into a corner. This is ideal because it is the right height to guide the drill, but not so high as to decrease the depth of hole you can drill. A useful imprivement would be a locator guide on the side ti assist in drilling in the proper spot